Sealing device



J. F. DENNIS SEALING DEVICE June 7, 1966 Filed June 11, 1964 on the frame for engagement with the closure.

3,254,453 SEALING DEVICE John F. Dennis, Park Ridge, 111., assignor to W. J. Dennis & Company, a corporation of Illinois Filed June 11, 1964, Ser. No. 374,356 8 Claims. (Cl. 49-482) This invention relates to an improved sealing device and more particularly to a device to form a seal at the junction between a frame member defining an opening and a generally rectilinear planar member closing the opening. While the invention will be described as it specifically relates to a device for forming a seal between the bottom edge of a door and the associated threshold, it will be obvious from the description that the invention is not limited to such a door bottom seal but is useful in many environments.

The problem which the instant invention solves is an old one. It is impossible to closely fit closures in their associated openings and still maintain reasonable costs in building construction. More particularly, it is common to have-substantial openings and leakage between the bottom of a door and the associated threshold in both industrial and residential construction. This is true because of the inherent lack of precision in building construction work, wear, warpage, and shifting during normal building life. The results of the failure to precisely close building openings are drafts, loss of heat, and the introduction of dirt, dust, and perhaps insects within the building.

There have been many proposals heretofore to solve these problems. The simplest and most common has been the use of weather-stripping or similar straight flexible strips mounted on the door or Window and engageable with the associated frame, or conversely, mounted Such devices are satisfactory in many cases where the spacial relationship of the parts is predictable and constant and where the closure is not frequently opened or removed. To cope with the additional problems inherent in the formation of the seal between a door and a threshold, various pivoted and resilient devices have been proposed. These have included resilient members disposed in the threshold to engage the door, a pivoted or hinged device on the door to engage the threshold, or mechanisms which are actuated upon the closure of the door to move into the space between the doorand threshold and form a seal. All of the foregoing have suffered from one or more deficiencies including excessive costs, diificulty of installation, short life, or the requirement that the basic building structure be altered by removing the threshold, reducing the size of the door, and the like. Also, many of these structures have not been well adapted for use with uneven openings and have not been adapted to cope with changes in the relationship between the door and the the threshold during normal use.

Thus, it is one important object of this invention to provide an improved sealing device to form a weatherproof seal between a frame member defining an opening and a generally planar member adapted to substantially close that opening.

. It is another object of this invention to provide an improved door bottom which is adapted for use with new construction or doors and thresholds which are worn, warped, uneven, or ill-fitted.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved door bottom adapted to form a seal with an associated threshold wherein the door bottom is adjustable to accommodate uneven thresholds and changes in the relationship of the door and threshold during normal use.

It is another object of this invention to provide an im- United States Patent proved door bottom which is adjustable in situ when first installed and during normal life.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved door bottom which does not require the alteration of the door or threshold, the removal of any portion of the door, or removal of the door during installation.

Further and additional objects of this inv ntion will become manifest from a consideration of this description, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.

In one particular form of the invention, a sealing device is provided which is especially adapted for use along the bottom edge of a door where the device comprises a body portion secured to the door along a line spaced from the bottom edge, a flexible web secured to the lower portion of the body and extending downwardly toward the threshold whereupon it is folded upon itself extends upwardly between the body and the door into a chamber defined thereby, and a retainer within the chamber sup porting the other end of the flexible member and adjusta-ble within the chamber to determine the extension of the flexible member beneath the door bottom. The bight portion of the flexible member extends beneath the plane of the bottom surface of the door and effects a seal with the threshold outwardly of the plane of the door.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross section of a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspectiveview of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 ilustrates the invention as installed on a new, relatively perfect door; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the invention as applied to an old or worn door.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 1, a portion of a threshold 10 is diagrammatically shown in association with a-fragment of a door 12. The door 12 is spaced from the threshold 10 as is common in building construction to leave a gap 14 for clearance between the lower or bottom surface 16 of the door and the threshold. The door bottom or sealing device 18 of this invention is externally mounted to one of the planar surfaces 20 of the door along a line substantially parallel to and spaced from the bottom edge 20a. It is generally preferred that the surface 20 on which the door bottom 18 is mounted be the outer surface of the door as external doors generally open outwardly and this produces an improved seal and improved operation. However, if desired, the door bottom 18 may be mounted on the interior surface of the door.

The door bottom comprises a body 22 having a transverse support 24 which abuts against the door surface 20 and extends outwardly therefrom. The support 24 is secured to the surface 20 a fixed distance from the bottom surface 16 of the door and is supported against planar surface 20 by an elongate mounting plate 26.

The plate 26 is mounted in rigid abutting relationship against the surface 20 by a plurality "of screws 28. Ex-' tending downwardly from support 24 is a cover web 30 which is spacedfrom the door surface and in combination therewith defines a chamber 32. A mounting flange 34 is integrally formed at the lower or free edge of the cover web 30 and extends inwardly toward the door surface 20. It is preferred that the mounting plate 26, the

support 24, the cover web 22, and the mounting flange 34 to receive one elongate edge 38 of a flexible web 40.'

v The edge 38 is formed with an enlarged rib 42 which en- Patented June 7, 1966" gages the correspondingly shaped cavity withinthe channel 36. Thus, the web is secured in the mounting flange 34 and extends downwardly therefrom toward the threshold 10. The web is folded upon itself to define a bight 44 and the web extends upwardly through a slot 46 between the mounting flange 34 and the door surface 20 into the chamber 32. 4

A retainer 48 extends over the entire length of the channel-like body 22 and is formed with a channel 50 to receive the other free edge of web 4t). A rib 52 is formed in this free edge and is retained within the channel 50 in retainer 48 in the same manner as already described with respect to rib 42. As the retainer moves toward and away from the bottom edge 20a of the door 12, it will be apparent that the flexible web 40 extends to a greater or lesser extent through the slot 46 into space 14 between the door 12 and the threshold 10. This results in a high degree of adaptability in the sealing device to accommodate threshold varying in shape and configuration as well as unevenness resulting from warpage, wear, and the like.

The retainer 48 has a plurality of threaded holes formed therein generally uniformly spaced over its entire length. Each of these holes receives a bolt 54 or similar threaded device, and it is this set of bolts 54 which maintains the retainer 48 in the desired position. Each bolt has a shaped head 56 which prevents passage of the bolt into the cavity 32. The bolt is also provided with a small annular recess 58 with a spring clip 60 secured thereto to prevent withdrawal of the bolt 54 from the cavity either in response to the resilient action of the web 40 or any other force which might be applied thereto. The mounting flange 34 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 62 which receive the free ends of the associated bolts 54. The bolts'are freely rotatable in the recesses 62 and thus rotation of bolt 54 produces linear motion of retainer 48 in the area of the selected bolt. The apertures 62 are somewhat enlarged to permit limited longitudinal or transverse movement of the bolts 54 therein to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and selective adjustment of the bolts 54.

Retainer 48 is formed of extruded aluminum and has dimensions such that it has substantial flexibility. Thus, one or more of the bolts 54 may be adjusted to produce external extension of the web 40 while the other bolts may be adjusted to retract the web to accommodate high points of the threshold.

The manner in which the body 22 is mounted on the door surface 20 by a plurality of wood screws 28 or similar means is clearly illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 2. Also, FIG. 2 clearly illustrates the manner in which the head 56 of the adjusting screw 54 is externally accessible for screwdriver adjustment of the flexible web 40 without removing the door from its hinges or any other major structural operations. The manner in which each adjusting screw 54 is seated in an aperture in mounting flange 34 is also clear from FIG. 2 as in the manner in which the flexible web 40 occupies the cavity 32 and forms a seal having the shape of a U with an adjustable bight portion 44.

The manner in which the sealing device of this invention is mounted on new construction is illustrated in FIG. 3 where the flexible web 40 extends uniformly into the opening to engage a straight and uniform threshold a.

Conversly, the structure illustrated in FIG. 4 exemplifies the use of the instant invention on old constructions where the body 22 is mounted on the door surface in the same manner as heretofore but the adjusting bolts are so altered that the flexible web extends to various degrees from the chamber defined by the body 22 to engage a worn threshold 1017.

While the instant invention has been specifically described as it relates to use as a door bottom in association with a spaced threshold wherein the door is of the conventional hinged type, it will be apparent that the invention can be adapted to windows, sliding panels, or the 4 like without departing from the basic concept described herein.

Furthermore, the invention may be adapted for use with doors or windows which are either hinged along one edge, centrally hinged, or slidable relative to their associated frames. In the preferred construction, the flexible web 40 is molded of a polyvinyl material and the body 22 and retainer 48 are formed of aluminum, preferably anodized. However, it will be apparent that other materials may be used provided only that the retainer 48 must have limited flexibility to accommodate the various adjustments required and the flexible web 40 must have sufficient stiffness to conform to the chamber while still being sufficiently flexible to form a bight without fracture or serious deterioration. The sealing device may be made in any desired length dependent only on the material available. The sealing device has, as several of its salient features, an external mounting requiring no alteration in the original parts, elimination of any need for the removal of the door or window to which the seal is being adapted, permanence once adjusted, and complete adjustability to accommodate imprecise initial construction,

wear or warpage.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of this invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions of service, while retaining certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device to seal a junction between a frame member defining an opening, and a generally rectilinear planar member substantially closing said opening, said device comprising: a generally channel-shaped body secured to one of said members and having an elongate support leg abutting a portion of said one member spaced from said junction, an elongate cover web extending transversely from said leg as a cantilever the free end of which is adjacent said junction, and a mounting flange extending transversely from said free end and defining an elongate slot between said mounting flange and said one member, said support leg, cover web, and mounting flange cooperating with said one member to define an elongate chamber; a flexible web having two generally parallel elongate edges, one of said edges being secured in said mounting flange .and said web passing through said slot and into said chamber; elongate movable retainer means within said chamber, the other of said edges being secured thereto; and means for adjusting the position of said retainer within said chamber whereby said flexible web engages the other of said members.

2. A device to seal a junction between a frame member defining an opening, and a generally rectilinear planar member substantially closing said opening, said device comprising: a generally channel-shaped body secured to one of said members and having an elongate support leg abutting a portion of said one member spaced from said junction, an elongate cover web extending transversely I from said leg as a cantilever the free end of which is adjacent said junction, and a mounting flange extending transversely from said free end and defining an elongate slot between said mounting flange and said one member, said support leg, cover web, and mounting flange cooperating with said one member to define an elongate chamher; a flexible web having two generally parallel elongate edges, one of said edges being secured in said mounting flange and said web passing through said slot and into said chamber; elongate movable retainer means within said chamber, the other of said edges being secured thereto; adjusting means engaging said retainer and extending through said body, external manipulation of said adjusting means positioning said retainer within said chamber whereby said flexible web engages the other of said members.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said adjusting means comprises a plurality of threaded members extending through said support leg, rotatably engaging said mounting flange and threadedly engaging said retainer means.

4. The device of claim 3, including means securing said threaded members in said supporting leg to prevent axial movement while permitting rotation thereof.

5. A device to seal the junction between the edge of a generally planar door and an adjacent threshold, said device comprising: a generally channel-shaped body having an elongate support leg abutting a portion of said door spaced from said edge, an elongate cover web extending transversely from said leg as a cantilever the free end of which is adjacent said edge, and a mounting flange extending transversely from said free end and defining an elongate slot between said mounting flange and said door, said support leg, cover web, and mounting flange cooperating with said door to define an elongate chamber; a flexible web having two generally parallel elongate edges, one of said edges being secured in said mounting flange and said web passing through said slot and into said chamber; elongate movable retainer means within said chamber, the other of said edges being secured thereto; and means for adjusting the position of said retainer within said chamber whereby said flexible web engages said threshold.

6. A device to seal the junction between the edge of a generally planar door and an adjacent threshold, said device comprising: a generally channel-shaped body having an elongate support leg abutting a portion of said door spaced from said edge, an elongate cover web extending transversely from said leg as a cantilever the free end of which is adjacent said edge, and a mounting flange extending transversely from said free end and defining an elongate slot between said mounting flange and said door, said support leg, cover web, and mounting flange cooperating with said door to define an elongate chamber; a flexible web having two generally parallel elongate edges, one of said edges being secured in said mounting flange, said web extending outwardly therefrom toward said threshold, said web being turned upon itself to form a bight and passing through said slot and into said chamber; elongate movable retainer means within said chamber, the other of said edges being secured thereto; and means for adjusting the position of said retainer within 6. said chamber whereby said bight engages said threshold.

7. A device to seal the junction between the edges of a generally planar door and an adjacent threshold, said device comprising: an elongate body portion secured to the planar surface of said door along a line. spaced from said threshold, said body portion extending toward said threshold in spaced relationship to said planar surface and cooperating therewith to define an elongate chamber, elongate movable retainer means within saidchamber, and a flexible elongate web secured to said body and extending therefrom, said flexible web being formed upon itself to form a bight and extending between said body and said planar surface and terminating in said retainer means, said web having suflicient stiffness to maintain a U configuration with the bight portion thereof engaging said threshold.

8. A device to seal the junction between the edge of a generally planar door and an adjacent threshold, said device comprising: an elongate body portion secured to the planar surface of said door along a line spaced from said threshold, said body portion extending toward said thresh old in spaced relationship to said planar surface and cooperating therewith to define an elongate chamber, elongate movable retainer means within said chamber, a plurality of threaded devices rotatably mounted in said body and externally manipulatable, said device-s threadedly engaging said retainer means for adjustment thereof relative to said body, and a flexible elongate web secured to said body and extending therefrom, said flexible web being formed upon itself to form a bight and extending between said body and said planar surface and terminating in said retainer means, said web having sufficient stiffness to maintain a U configuration with the bight portion thereof engaging said threshold.

References Cited by the Examiner I UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,811,754 11/1957 Toth 20-53 3,114,946 12/ 196-3 Fluck 20-69 

7. A DEVICE TO SEAL THE JUNCTION BETWEEN THE EDGES OF A GENERALLY PLANAR DOOR AND AN ADJACENT THRESHOLD, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATE BODY PORTION SECURED TO THE PLANAR SURFACE OF SAID DOOR ALONG A LINE SPACED FROM SAID THRESHOLD, SAID BODY PORTION EXTENDING TOWARD SAID THRESOLD IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID PLANAR SURFACE AND COOPERATING THEREWITH TO DEFINE AN ELONGATE CHAMBER, ELONGATE MOVABLE RETAINER MEANS WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, AND A FLEXIBLE ELONGATE WEB SECURED TO SAID BODY AND EXTENDING THEREFROM, SAID FLEXIBLE WEB BEING FORMED UPON ITSELF TO FORM A BIGHT AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID PLANAR SURFACE AND TERMINATING IN SAID RETAINER MEANS, SAID WEB HAVING SUFFICIENT STIFFNESS TO MAINTAIN A U CONFIGURATION WITH THE BIGHT PORTION THEREOF ENGAGING SAID THRESHOLD. 